A Dictionary of the Book of Mormon/Joseph
JOSEPH. The younger son of Lehi and Sariah, born to them during the difficulties and sorrows of their journey across the Arabian Peninsula (about 595 B. C), We are told very little of his life or character, but he appears to have been an upright man and a faithful servant of the Lord. At the time of his father's death he was still small, but was blessed by that patriarch with the rest of the family, shortly before Lehi's departure from this earth. Joseph with his elder brother Jacob, was ordained by Nephi, a priest, to minister to the Nephites, after the separation of that people from the adherents of Laman, Of his private history or death we are told nothing. Jacob, speaking of himself and Joseph, says: We did magnify our office [of priests] unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads, if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence.